John 5 and the Creatures — “Here’s to the Crazy Ones”
rock music
Playlist Challenge, Day 250
Dharmata — “Here and Gone”
Playlist Challenge, Day 249
Theory of a Deadman — “Hello Lonely (Walk Away From This)”
Playlist Challenge, Day 248
John 5 and the Creatures — “Hell Haw”
What I’m Listening To: Neon Coven
This could get lengthy…
Nine years ago, I went to a show in Huntsville, Alabama. The band’s playing were Within Reason and Lynam. I fell head over heels for Lynam (as many of you know, if you’ve been following me for a while).
I was super dedicated, and I saw more than 100 shows in a span of six years. In 2012, Lynam vocalist/guitarist Jacob Bunton joined the band formed by ex-Guns ‘N’ Roses drummer Steven Adler, called…Adler. He took on the role of front man. They released an album entitled Back From the Dead.
Adler was put on hiatus when Steven went back into rehab. And that pretty much brings us to the subject of this blog.
Jacob is in yet another band: Neon Coven. He’s not the front man this time, which is odd for me. Lol. However, I really like this band.
Much as with his other endeavors, the influence of 80’s music on Jacob is evident. Neon Coven is reminiscent of the electronica/new wave artists of his favored decade. (They have actually covered a Depeche Mode song.)
Perhaps my favorite thing about Neon Coven, though, is their lyrics. They have a dark edge that appeals to me — and is rather different from both Lynam and Adler.
Anyway, give Neon Coven a listen! I’m including my two favorite tracks, “Bleeding Love” and “Queen of Scars.”
Playlist Challenge, Day 246
Ghost — “He Is”
Playlist Challenge, Day 245
Blue October — “Hate Me”
Let’s Talk Covers (Pt. 29)
1. Bloodrock: “Eleanor Rigby” (The Beatles cover)
2. Lord of the Lost: “Frozen” (Madonna cover)
3. Mudvayne: “King of Pain” (The Police cover)
Weekly Focus: Spin Doctors, Day Seven
Spin Doctors — “Scotch and Water Blues,” from the album If the River Was Whiskey (2013).
Ranked: Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge’s “birthday” was January 4th. It has been an amazing fourteen years, filled with truly epic music. Here, I will rank their albums from my most loved to my least loved. (My list includes only their studio albums.)
1. Blackbird (2007)
The title track alone is enough to earn Blackbird the number one spot. It blows my mind that anyone can hear that song and not acknowledge Alter Bridge as one of the best rock bands in existence. By the time “Ties That Bind,” “Come to Life,” and “Watch Over You” are added, there is no disputing the strength of this record.
2. Fortress (2013)
This was a tough one, because for me, Fortress and One Day Remains are neck and neck. However, Fortress took number two based on “Lover” and “Waters Rising” (which is in my top 5 favorite AB tracks; I adore Mark’s voice).
3. One Day Remains (2004)
And so we come to Alter Bridge’s debut record, and man, is it a winner. At the time of its release, I was focused on other bands, mainly Avenged Sevenfold, and I missed it almost entirely (though I did see them at a festival on this tour). Once I became obsessed with Alter Bridge, however, I quickly realized there isn’t a single song from One Day Remains that I can’t listen to. My favorites are the title track, “Find the Real,” “In Loving Memory,” and “Shed My Skin.”
4. AB III (2010)
Confession: I don’t love every song from AB III. I don’t hate any of them, but it’s not an album I typically listen to from start to finish. With that said, the songs I do love on it are standouts in Alter Bridge’s career: “Slip to the Void,” “Isolation,” “Ghost of Days Gone By,” “Wonderful Life,” “I Know It Hurts,” and “Words Darker Than Their Wings.” (Again, anything Mark lends his vocals to is alright with me.)
5. The Last Hero (2016)
I like this album. Really, I do. I saw them three times touring for it. But it didn’t have as many songs that jumped out and grabbed me as their previous records. “Show Me a Leader” is great, and “Crows on a Wire” is a punch to the face (in a good way). I also enjoy “Twilight,” “My Champion,” and “This Side of Fate.”
Mostly Music 